Appendicitis - Appendix Symptom, Cause and Treatment, Surgery, Picture and Pain

The appendix is a blind-ended sac that arises at the end of the colon, or large bowel. It normally does little in humans, but in rabbits it is very important in helping to digest the plant material cellulose. When the appendix becomes infected or obstructed by food pellets or swollen glands, then the symptoms of appendicitis arise.

Cause of Appendicitis

Appendicitis is one of the most common and best known causes of abdominal pain. It can occur at any age, although it is rare before the age of 2, and about 1 in 6 people undergoes an appendectomy to remove the affected organ.

The appendix is a short, thin, blind-ended tube approximately 7-10 cm (3-4 in) long that is attached to the caecum, a pouch that forms the first section of the large intestine. It has no known function in humans. The appendix is liable to become infected, particularly amongst young people, and appendectomy is one of the most commonly performed emergency operations.

Treatment of appendicitis

• If appendicitis is suspected then the person needs to be in hospital for further tests such as X -rays, blood tests and urine analysis.
• If the diagnosis is confirmed then removal of the appendix, as soon as possible, should be done. If left untreated, the appendix may form an abscess, which may burst and cause infection throughout the abdomen. For most, the operation is relatively straight forward and people often leave hospital two or three days after surgery.

Appendicitis symptom and sign